MUSEUMS IN TASMANIA

Tasmania's cultural heritage is alive in its museums.

There are single-focus collections exploring subjects as diverse as golf and gold. And there are major institutions holding important permanent collections and hosting international exhibitions. Many of these museums are landmarks in themselves, with architecture ranging from cutting-edge to classic.

BEST MUSEUMS IN TASMANIA

Mona

The Museum of Old and New Art, Australia’s largest private museum, has three levels of underground galleries displaying a collection that challenges, inspires, titillates, and astonishes. Beyond the collections, on-site restaurants, bars, kids’ play areas, a ferry ride and an ever-changing roster of events make Mona, on the northern outskirts of Hobart, a destination in itself. 

Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG)

The second oldest museum in Australia has an important collection of artefacts across diverse fields and history. These are cleverly displayed to give access and understanding to all age groups. Hobart’s TMAG is architecturally interesting, too, comprising some of the oldest buildings in the state brought together with sympathetic and stimulating contemporary design. 

Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery (QVMAG)

With a collection exploring Tasmania’s place in the world since 1847, plus a cache of rare books, documents, records of biodiversity and interactive attractions for kids, Launceston’s QVMAG is fascinating and fun for all generations. It’s Australia’s oldest regional museum.

West Coast Heritage Centre

Across four historic buildings in Zeehan, 30 themed exhibition spaces explore the history of Tasmania’s west coast at the West Coast Heritage Centre, with trains to climb on and an underground mine to keep children engaged. There’s much for adults, too, in collections of relics, minerals and recreations of this mining boomtown. 

Special interest

Deep dive into Antarctic history at Mawson’s Huts Replica Museum in Hobart, which evokes the living conditions of the 1911-1914 Australian Antarctic Expedition. Get automotive at the ever-evolving National Automobile Museum of Tasmania in Launceston. Learn scatological science at Pooseum in Richmond and hydro history at Waddamana Power Station Heritage Site. These are just a few of Tasmania’s specialty museums.  

Quirky and community

Tasmania’s rugged landscapes, wild coastlines and unique history inform local museums dedicated to regional experiences. From the Furneaux Museum on Flinders Island to the Stanley Discovery Museum and more, history is revealed by local storytellers with contemporary perspectives, often in atmospheric heritage buildings.